Our building serves as an independent lending library, local arts centre and community café.
There is free WiFi and the building is available for hire.
| Mon | 15.00 – 17.00 | Library |
| Tue | 10.30 – 12.30 2nd Tue of month | Sweet Memories Café |
| 11.00 – 13.00 Other Tue of month | Hardback Café 1 | |
| Wed | 10.00 – 12.00 | Library, including Mums & Toddlers Group |
| Thu | 15.00 – 17.00 | Library |
| Fri | 11.30 – 14.00 | Hardback Café 1 |
| Sat | 10.00 – 12.00 | Library |
| Sun | Closed |
1 Café is closed around Easter and Christmas, and also for a break in August. Details are published near the time.
Visit our Facebook page for up to date info and confirmation of opening hours
Library
The library is well stocked, with no charge to join. There is no limit on the number of books you can borrow, and we operate a very lenient system of fines for late returns.
We have a modern computerized system for cataloguing and book issue. (See Account for how to access it.)
Books can be ordered for you from Leeds City Library (though there may be a small charge).
We offer free tea, coffee and biscuits. Feel free to make a contribution.
Arts Centre
Regular events are held in the building, including talks by the Local History Society.
Cafés
There is a café on most Tuesdays and Fridays. On the second Tuesday of the month this becomes a memory café.
History
Constructed in 1814 as a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, the building became a Sunday School for the new Chapel opposite in 1892. It became a City Library in 1932 but was closed by the City Council in 2012.
A huge local voluntary effort culminated in Shadwell Independent Library opening in January 2013. Hundreds of new books have since been added and the library has thrived, with many new members.
In Autumn 2016 the café was opened, and the following year we were given the Duke of York’s Community Award 2016.